Just cut out on the Fwy, fuel issue Options

[johnpierre]

hello 914 community

so I was driving the other Sunday - nice drive with no traffic due to covid, doing 80 on the 405 heading south, for those of you that don't live in LA, that is in LA ;-) and then all of a sudden I just lost power.

it sounded like I ran out of gas but that of course is impossible as the tank was 1/2 full. I have a 73, 1.7 fuel injected engine and I have never had this issue.

I suppose I can tow the car to a garage but I thought I might put this out there in case this sounds familiar to anyone and I could try to troubleshoot the issue first. is there anything I can check rather easily to solve this? has this happened to anyone else under these conditions?

I looked all around the top of the engine as best I could when it happened and I didn't see anything disconcerted or otherwise out of place - but then again I don't really know what I was looking for and it was hot so I really could feel around that much.

-jp-

[BeatNavy]

When you cycle the key to "on" position do you hear the fuel pump priming (for roughly 1.5 seconds)?

Could be fuel or it could be spark, but that fuel pump test is the easiest (you do it every time you start your car).

[DRPHIL914]

When you cycle the key to "on" position do you hear the fuel pump priming (for roughly 1.5 seconds)?

Could be fuel or it could be spark, but that fuel pump test is the easiest (you do it every time you start your car).

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) ,most likely pump issue, relay or just loose wire on coil , ground etc

[ndfrigi]

Do you have pertronix on ur dizzy? if yes try to replace it with standard points and also like Rob and Dr. Phil said, check your fuel pump and if there is a loose wire from coil.

Hopefully it is just minor issue and you can drive the car again especially time to enjoy the 914 this summer.

[fiacra]

Despite what the gauge says did you check the tank to make sure there is fuel in there?

[Frankvw]

if the spark is OK...Check fuel (as mentioned), if you have fuel in the tank, could also dirty or clogged up fuel filter/filtersock. troubleshooting starts ! good luck.

[jd74914]

I had this happen and it turned out my 3 port fuel pump was bypassing from pressure to return (regulator spring failed). Not sure how common this is, but same symptoms you had.

[KELTY360]

Fuel pump relay on the relay board.

I've had the same thing happen in two different 914s and diagnosed it in a couple of others. Easy fix; just swap in one of your headlight relays and see if it works. Good Luck.

[GregAmy]

Similar experience to the above: verify solid terminals between the 12- and 14-plug terminals and the relay plate. Remove, clean, ever-so-slightly spread the quartered mail terminals...


(I hesitate to add "use dielectric grease" because you should, as writing that always causes incorrect counter-arguments here...but use dieletric grease.)

[johnpierre]

hey there - thanks for all the help

here is what i found based on your help.

#1 im pretty sure the fuel pump is priming - i can here the low whine when i turn the key

#2 checked all the fuses and they all look old but non blown, i turned each fuse to see it that would make a better connection

#3 it looks like im missing a fuse on either end - not sure i even know it they where there to begin with

$3 looked at the coil and it all seemed to be connected, no lose wires

#4 i did find a vacuum hose that is not connected, i can't seem to figure out where the hell it connects to however it is coming from a long black straight tube that is at the front of the engine bay

#5 checked tank to make sure there was fuel - there is

#6 there are only 10 fuses and i could not see any numbers anywhere - must be on the plastic cover that departed me some time ago so i don't know where fuse controls the pump

here are some pics to see if you can see something i did not

[johnpierre]

the coil presumably...

[johnpierre]

vacuum hose to nowhere

[johnpierre]

this is where the vac hose begins

[johnpierre]

so going with a faulty fuel pump - where is it located ? can i just buy one from pelican or AA and pop it in?

[KELTY360]

Forget about the fuses. It's the fuel pump RELAY. Located on the relay board on the driver's side at the front of engine bay. Take off the plastic cover and you'll see round relays, a couple of fuses and a harness connector. The round relays are the same as the headlight relays on the motors in your frunk. Do a search. 99% sure it's your problem and easy to fix. Always carry spare relays.

[johnpierre]

Forget about the fuses. It's the fuel pump RELAY. Located on the relay board on the driver's side at the front of engine bay. Take off the plastic cover and you'll see round relays, a couple of fuses and a harness connector. The round relays are the same as the headlight relays on the motors in your frunk. Do a search. 99% sure it's your problem and easy to fix. Always carry spare relays.

great will follow your directions in the morn when it is light out... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[914_7T3]

hey there - thanks for all the help

here is what i found based on your help.

#1 im pretty sure the fuel pump is priming - i can here the low whine when i turn the key

#2 checked all the fuses and they all look old but non blown, i turned each fuse to see it that would make a better connection

#3 it looks like im missing a fuse on either end - not sure i even know it they where there to begin with

$3 looked at the coil and it all seemed to be connected, no lose wires

#4 i did find a vacuum hose that is not connected, i can't seem to figure out where the hell it connects to however it is coming from a long black straight tube that is at the front of the engine bay

#5 checked tank to make sure there was fuel - there is

#6 there are only 10 fuses and i could not see any numbers anywhere - must be on the plastic cover that departed me some time ago so i don't know where fuse controls the pump

here are some pics to see if you can see something i did not

Here are the fuse locations for a '73 from the owners manual. Looks like you are missing the left high beams (white 8 amp) and headlight motors (blue 25 amp)



As for fuel pump relay, you can reference this relay board diagram showing the underside to help identify the loacation.

[914_7T3]

The dreaded double post!

[ndfrigi]

this is where the vac hose begins

that is the line for charcoal canister and not really affect the issue you are having now.

[GregAmy]

Given:

#1 im pretty sure the fuel pump is priming - i can here the low whine when i turn the key

...then I can't see how this has anything to do with the fuel pump electrical circuit.

Did I miss it or have you tested fuel pressure?